Pistributor breaker point gauge



Nov. 15, 1966 o. B. SMOTHERS DISTRIBUTOR BREAKER POINT GAUGE Filed Nov. 27, 1964 FIG-3.2

FIG. 5

MUM

INVENTOR,

00/8 5. SMO THERS United States Patent 3,284,908 DISTRIBUTOR BREAKER POINT GAUGE Odis B..Smothers, Rte. 2, Paragould, Ark. Filed Nov. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 414,335 9 Claims. (Cl. 33168) This invention relates to measuring devices. and more particularly to a distributor breaker point gauge for use in properly setting the breaker points commonly provided in distributors for the ignition systems of internal combustion engines.

Distributors for the ignition systems of internal combustion engines are commonly provided with breaker points which serve to interrupt the fiow of electrical current to the primary winding of a coil and there is usually provided a fixed adjustable point and a movable point actuated by a cam on the distributor shaft. It is necessary to periodically adjust the spacing between the breaker points and this is necessary both at the initial installation of the points and also at periodic intervals thereafter,

since such points become worn or pitted during service and it is necessary to dress the same by filing or grinding and as the result of the removal of material from the points, the same must be readjusted to the proper spacing.

Heretofore it has been customary to adjust the distributor breaker points by utilizing a feeler gauge of the proper thickness, the mechanic positioning such gauge between the breaker points and adjusting the adjustable point until the resistance to movement of the feeler gauge between the points indicates that the proper adjustment has been achieved. Needless to say, this requires a relatively high degree of skill on the part of the mechanic and, therefore, in the absence of such skill, the breaker points may frequently be improperly adjusted. Furthermore, this operation requires the simultaneous manipulation of the feeler gauge and also the wrench, screwdriver or other tool utilized for adjusting the points and since the distributor for internal combustion engines is frequently mounted in a relatively inaccessible location, considerable difficulty has been experienced in properly adjusting the points therein.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a distributor breaker point gauge which may be conveniently positioned and supported on the distributor shaft after removal of the normal distributor rotor and in which the operation adjusting the points may be accomplished with one hand top rovide a rapid and accurate setting of points.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a distributor breaker point gauge incorporating a plurality of feeler gauges of different thicknesses, such gauges being selectively usable to provide the required breaker point setting.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a distributor breaker point gauge incorporating a plurality of feeler gauges of different thicknesses, together with resilient means for normally biasing the feeler gauges to an inoperative position, but permitting a selected feeler gauge to be conveniently moved into operative position against the action of the resilient means.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a distributor breaker point gauge incorporating a plurality of feeler gauges of different thickness normally retained in inoperative position by resilient means and in which a selected feeler gauge may be moved into operative position between the breaker points and against the action of the resilient means, the breaker points first being adjusted to engage and retain the feeler gauge therebetween and thereafter being adjusted in the opposite direction until the feeler gauge is released and returned to inoperative position by the resilient means, thereby providing an accurate setting of the breaker points.

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A further object of the invention is the provision of a distributor breaker point gauge which may be conveniently and economically constructed from readily available materials and which may be utilized by a mechanic or other person for properly and accurately setting the distributor points and without necessitating a high degree of skill in the use thereof.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a distributor breaker point gauge which is conveniently supported in operative position on the shaft of the distributor thereby leaving the hands of the mechanic free to accomplish the point adjusting operation.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view with parts broken away for clarity and showing a portion of a distributor with the distributor point gauge of this invention in operative position thereon;

FIG. 2 a top plan view of the distributor breaker point gauge of this invention;

FIG. 3 a bottom plan view of the gauge shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 a sectional view taken substantially on the line IVIV of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 an elevational view showing one of the feeler gauges utilized in the breaker point gauge of this invention.

With continued reference to the drawing and particularly FIG. 1, there is shown a portion of the base 10 of a conventional distributor normally provided for the ignition systems of internal combustion engines and extending upwardly and centrally of the base 10 is a distributor shaft 11 having a keyed upper portion 12 which normally serves to receive the conventional rotor of the distributor and the shaft 11 is also provided with a cam 13 which serves to actuate a movable breaker point 14 and move the same into and out of engagement with a fixed breaker point 15, the latter also being adjustable by suitable means to adjust the spacing between the movable point 14 and fixed point 15.

With particular reference to FIG. 4, the distributor breaker point gauge of this invention may well comprise an elongated stem 16 having a keyed cap 17 fixed to the lower end thereof, the cap 17 being provided with a downwardly opening recess 18 having a key portion 19 therein and during use of the gauge of this invention, the cap 17 is received on the keyed upper end portion 12 of the distributor shaft 11 With such portion of the shaft 11 entering the recess 18 and with the key portion 19 of the cap 17 engaging the key portion on the distributor shaft 11. This serves to firmly and accurately locate the gauge of this invention in operative position.

Freely rotatable on the stem 16 is a circular head 20 and such head is provided adjacent the lower end thereof with a peripheral flange 21 which in turn is provided with a continuous peripheral groove 22. As best shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of angularly spaced peripheral slots 23 are provided in the flange 21 of the head 20 and the slots 23 lie in planes disposed at an angle to radial planes through the head 20. The purpose of this disposition of the slots 23 will presently appear.

Pivotally mounted in each slot 23 is an elongated feeler gauge 24 and each feeler gauge may be of a different thickness in order to permit a selected one of such gauges to be utilized when setting the points, since the breaker points of various engines are set at different distances apart. As clearly shown in FIG. 5, each feeler gauge 24 is composed of an elongated strip of material of the proper thickness and each gauge is provided adjacent one end thereof with an aperture 25 and intermediate the length thereof with an angularly disposed slot 26. As

best shown in FIG. 4, the feeler gauges 24 are disposed in the appropriate slots 23 and a ring 27 disposed in the groove 22 of the flange 21 passes through the apertures 25 in the feeler gauge-s 24 and thereby serves to pivotally mount the feeler gauges 24 in the slots 23 on the head 20.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an endless resilient member 28 is received in the slots 26 of the feeler gauges 24 and as shown in FIG. 4, the resilient member 28 serves to normally retain all of the feeler gauges 24 in an upright inoperative position substantially parallel to the axis of the head 20. Also, for convenient manipulation of the gauge of this invention, a handle 29 may be pro vided on the upper end of the stem 16.

The operation of the distributor breaker point gauge of this invention is best described with reference to FIG. 1 and as shown therein, the distributor rotor has been removed from the distributor shaft 11 and the cap 17 of the gauge of this invention has been positioned on the upper end of the distributor shaft 11 with the key 19of the cap 17 engaging the key on the upper end of the distributor shaft 11. The proper feeler gauge 24 is selected and the head 20 is rotated on the" stem 16 until the selected feeler gauge 24 is disposed opposite the gap between the breaker points 14 and 15 and at this time, the feeler gauge 24 is moved pivotally downwardly against the action of the resilient member 28 into a position between the breaker points 14 and 15. The adjustable breaker point 15 is thereafter adjusted to bring the same into engagement with the feeler gauge 24 to clamp the same between the fixed breaker point 15 and the movable breaker point 14 which serves to retain the feeler gauge 24 in position therebetween against the refractive force of the resilient member 28. The adjustable breaker point 15 is then adjusted in the opposite direction until such time as the feeler gauge 24 is released permitting the same to be retracted to inoperative position by the resilient member 28 and release of the feeler gauge will give an immediate indication that the proper gap between the breaker points 14 and 15 has been attained.

It will be seen that once the selected feeler gauge has been positioned and clamped between the breaker point that the only further manipulative action necessary is the adjustment of the breaker point 15 to release the feeler gauge and permit retraction of the same to inoperative position thereby precluding the necessity of the mechanic utilizing a feeler gauge in one hand and an adjusting tool in the other to accomplish the desired adjustment of the distributor points. Furthermore, by merely releasing the feeler gauge to permit retraction of the same by the resilicnt means 28 eliminates the necessity for skillful use of a feeler gauge by the mechanic, since the gauging operating is automatically accomplished without the necessity for the mechanic utilizing his skill to determine the proper point spacing.

It will be obvious that by the above described invention there has been provided a relatively simple, yet highly effective distributor breaker point gauge which may be conveniently utilized by a mechanic or other person to properly set the breaker points of a conventional distributor and without necessitating the use of a high degree of skill, either for manipulative purposes or for determining the proper point spacing. The gauge of this invention may be made of relatively durable materials to permit the same to be conveniently carried in a mechanics tool box without damage to the gauge and furthermore, the gauge of this invention is of such a type that the same may be utilized on a relatively large number of different makes of internal combustion engines.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the draw- .4 ving and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A distributor breaker point gauge for use on a distributor having a shaft, a cam on said shaft, a keyed rotor receiving portion on the end of said shaft, an adjustable fixed breaker point, and a movable breaker point actuated by said cam, said gauge comprising an elongated stem, a keyed cap fixed to one end of said stem, a head freely rotatable on said stem, a plurality of angularly spaced peripheral slots in said head, a feeler gauge of a different thickness pivotally mounted at one end in each slot, resilient means engaging each feeler gauge, said resilient means normally biasing said feeler gauges to a retracted inoperative position'substantially parallel to the axis of said head and said slots and said feeler gauges lying in planes disposed at an angle to radial planes through said head, whereby with said cap received on the keyed portion of said shaft said head may be rotated to bring a selected feeler gauge into alignment with space between said breaker points, said selected feeler gauge being pivoted against the action of said resilient means to position a portion of said feeler gauge between said points, said adjustable point being adjusted to engage said feeler gauge and retain the same between said p'oints, adjustment of said adjustable point in the opposite direction serving to release said feeler gauge at the proper setting of said points, said resilient means serving to retract said feeler gauge to inoperative position.

2. A distributor breaker point gauge as defined in claim 1, in which said stem is provided with a manipulating handle on the end opposite said cap.

3. A distributor breaker point gauge as defined in claim 1, in which said feeler gauges are provided with angularly disposed slots and said resilient means comprises an endless resilient member received in said slots.

4. A distributor breaker point gauge as defined in claim 1, in which said head is provided with a peripheral flange, said slots being provided in said flange, said flange having a continuous peripheral groove, each feeler gauge having an aperture adjacent one end, and a ring disposed in said groove and extending through said apertures to pivotally mount said feeler gauges on said head.

5. A distributor breaker point gauge for use on a distributor having a shaft, a cam on said shaft, a rotor receiving portion on the end of said shaft, an adjustable fixed breaker point, and a movable breaker point actuated by said cam, said gauge comprising an elongated stern, a cap fixed to one end of said stem, a head freely rotatable on said stem, a plurality of angularly spaced peripheral slots in said head, a feeler gauge of a different thickness pivotally mounted at one end in each slot, resilient means engaging each feeler gauge, said resilient means normally biasing said feeler gauges to a retracted inoperative position substantially parallel to the axis of said head and said slots and said feeler gauges lying in planes disposed at an angle to radial planes through said head, whereby with said cap received on the end of said shaft said head may be rotated to bring a selected feeler gauge into alignment with the space between said breaker points, said selected feeler gauge being pivoted against the action of said resilient means to position a portion of said feeler gauge between said points, said adjustable point being adjusted to engage said feeler gauge and retain the same between said points, adjustment of said adjustable point in the opposite direction serving to release said feeler gauge at the proper setting of said points, said resilient means serving to retract said feeler gauge to inoperative position.

6-. A distributor breaker point gauge for use on a distributor having a shaft, a cam on said shaft, a rotor receiving portion on the end of said shaft, an adjustable fixed breaker point, and a movable breaker point actu ated by said cam, said gauge comprising an elongated stem, a cap fixed to one end of said stem, a head freely rotatable on said stem, a plurality of angularly spaced peripheral slots in said head, a feeler gauge of a different thickness pivotally mounted at one end in each slot, resilient means engaging each feeler gauge, said resilient means normally biasing said feeler gauges to a retracted inoperative position and said slots and said feeler gauges lying in planes disposed at an angle to radial planes through said head, whereby with said cap received on the end of said shaft said head may be rotated to bring a selected feeler gauge into alignment with the space between said breaker points, said selected feeler gauge being pivoted against the action of said resilient means to position a portion of said feeler gauge between said points, said adjustable point being adjusted to engage said feeler gauge and retain the same between said points, adjustment of said adjustable points in the opposite direction serving to release said feeler gauge at the proper setting of said points, said resilient means serving to retract said feeler gauge to inoperative position.

7. A distributor breaker point gauge for use on a distributor having a shaft, a cam on said shaft, a rotor receiving portion on the end of said shaft, an adjustable fixed breaker point, and a movable breaker point actuated by said cam, said gauge comprising an elongated stem, a cap fixed to one end of said stem, a head freely rotatable on said stem, a plurality of angularly spaced peripheral slots in said head, a feeler gauge of a different thickness pivotally mounted at one end in each slot, resilient means engaging each feeler gauge, said resilient means normally biasing said feeler gauges to a retracted inoperative position, whereby with said cap received on the end of said shaft said head may be rotated to bring a selected feeler gauge into alignment with the space between said breaker points, said selected feeler gauge being pivoted against the action of said resilient means to position a portion of said feeler gauge between said points, said adjustable point being adjusted to engage said feeler gauge and retain the same between said points, adjustment of said adjustable point in the opposite direction serving to release said feeler gauge at the proper setting of said points, said resilient means serving to retract said feeler gauge to inoperative position.

8. A distributor breaker point gauge for use on the distributor having a shaft, a cam on said shaft, a rotor receiving portion on the end of said shaft, an adjustable fixed breaker point, and a movable breaker point ac tuated by said cam, said gauge comprising an elongated stem, a cap fixed to one end of said stem, a head freely rotatable on said stem, a peripheral slot in said head, a feeler guge pivotally mounted at one end in said slot, resilient means engaging said feeler gauge, said resilient means normally biasing said feeler gauge to a retracted inoperative position, whereby with said cap received on the end of said shaft said head may be rotated to bring said feeler gauge into alignment with the space between said breaker points, said feeler gauge being pivoted against the action of said resilient means to position a portion of said feeler gauge between said points, said adjustable point being adjusted to engage said feeler gauge and retain the same between said points, adjustment of said adjustable point in the opposite direction serving to release said feeler gauge at the proper setting of said points, said resilient means serving to retract said feeler gauge to inoperative position.

9. A distributor breaker point gauge for use on a distributor having a shaft, a cam on said shaft, a rotor receiving portion on the end of said shaft, an adjustable fixed breaker point, and a movable breaker point actuated by said cam, said gauge comprising an elongated stern, a cap fixed to one end ofsaid stem, a head freely rotatable on said stem, a feeler gauge pivotally mounted at one end on said head, resilient means engaging said feeler gauge, said resilient means normally biasing said feeler gauage to a retracted inoperative position, whereby with said cap received on the end of said shaft said head may be rotated to bring said feeler gauge into alignment with the space between said breaker points, said feeler gauge being pivoted against the action of said resilient means to position a portion of said feeler gauge between said points, said adjustable point being adjusted to engage said feeler gauge and retain the same between said points, adjustment of said adjustable point in the opposite direction serving to release said feeler gauge at the proper setting of said points, said resilient means serving to retract said feeler gauge to inoperative position.

No references cited.

LEONARD FORMAN, Primary Examiner. 

9. A DISTRIBUTOR BREAKER POINT GUAGE FOR USE ON A DISTRIBUTOR HAVING SHAFT, A CAM ON SAID SHAFT, A ROTOR RECEIVING PORTION ON THE END OF SAID SHAFT, AN ADJUSTABLE FIXED BREAKER POINT, AND A MOVABLE BREAKER POINT ACTUATED BY SAID CAM, SAID GAUGE COMPRISING AN ELONGATED STEM, A CAP FIXED TO ONE END OF SAID STEM, A HEAD FREELY ROTATABLE ON SAID STEM, A FEELER GAUGE PIVOTALLY MOUNTED AT ONE END ON SAID HEAD, RESILIENT MEANS NORMALLY BIASING SAID FEELER GAUGE, SAID RESILIENT MEANS NORMALLY BIASING SAID FEELER GAUGE TO A RETRACTED INOPERATIVE POSITION, WHEREBY WITH SAID CAP RECEIVED ON THE END OF SAID SHAFT SAID HEAD MAY BE ROTATED TO BRING SAID FEELER GAUGE INTO ALIGNMENT WITH THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID BREAKER PORINTS, SAID FEELER GAUGE BEING PIVOTED AGAINST THE ACTION OF SAID RESILIENT MEANS TO POSITION A PORTION OF SAID FEELER GAUGE BETWEEN SAID POINTS, SAID ADJUSTABLE POINT BEING ADJUSTED TO ENGAGE SAID FEELER GAUGE AND RETAIN THE SAME BETWEEN SAID POINTS, ADJUSTMENT OF SAID ADJUSTABLE POINT IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION SERVING TO RELEASE SAID FEELER GAUGE AT THE PROPER SETTING OF SAID POINTS, SAID RESILIENT MEANS SERVING TO RETRACT SAID FEELER GAUGE TO INOPERATIVE POSITION. 